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Func HS-260 Review (Page 1 of 4)

By: Aaron Lai
May 14, 2014

As I have recently completed my third year of engineering in university, I have started my sixteen month internship. When I told my friend I was working for an aerospace and defense manufacturing company, the first thing he asked me was, “Yo, want to hook me up with a lightly used, low mileage, accident-free second-hand fighter jet?” He would then ask me whether or not there were heavy security clearances I would go through, with tons of paperwork to fill out. While I laughed and tried to tell him the paperwork was not that much, I also realized this was just the type of reputation the company had. I could continue to insist that the security measures were not really that intense, but it would make zero difference. The fact is impressions are hard to shake; even more so for the negative ones. Whether from first-hand or third-hand experience, if you have had or heard any bad press from anyone, it leaves a damaging impact that will not be easily removed. For example, for the longest while, my dad was adamantly against Ford because of the Pinto and the problematic fuel tank design in the late seventies. He actually did own one for a while, but luckily he sold it before anything explosive occurred. While Ford obviously learned from their mistakes, and have changed from their faulty design, my dad still has not purchased any Ford vehicle since his Pinto. So when Func decided to enter the audio business with the Func HS-260, I did have my doubts. Func has sent us some great products in the past, including the Func KB-460 and the MS-3 Revision 2, and have proved they can produce competitive computer peripherals. However, APH Networks have seen experienced companies take their try at diversifying with less than positive results. As Func’s first headset is marketed to be "candy for your ears", can their start really be this sweet? Or will the sound leave a bitter taste? Read on to find out!

Today’s review unit of the Func HS-260 arrived directly from Func’s office in Texas via FedEx Ground. Much like all the other Func products we have reviewed, this headset arrived in a generic FedEx-marked brown corrugated cardboard box. The goods were delivered in pristine condition, as the box is clean without and holes or major dents. It was also a pleasant surprise to see FedEx actually deliver the package a day or two before the actual estimated date.

Pop open this corrugated box, and we are met with some brown packing paper. Once this is removed, we finally have the retail packaging of the Func HS-260. And boy, this is how every company should pack their products. If anything says premium for retail packaging, it is a front panel swinging door held by magnets, which conceals a plastic window to see the headset. Func’s logo is on the top left corner with their motto “Functionality. Perfected.” located underneath. The lack of any words or over-the-top graphics on the outside makes this a clean look, and while it may not be Apple-esque, it sure is fancy. Turn over to the sides, and we have more of Func’s logo. On the back, we get an overview of features, but all the words are tiny. This complements the already conservative looking design of the box. Of course, if we open the flap, we are bombarded with more tiny words talking about the history of Func and their visionary thinking. Passion and fashion aside, there are some more specifications and features in several other languages. Of course, this review is more than just looking at the box, so I opened the tabs and finally pulled out the headset.

Before I get to that though, let’s look at the specifications and features of the Func HS-260, as per the manufacturer’s website:

Opening the top flap, we pulled out the plastic trays holding the inside items. One of the plastic pieces are clear, while the other one is black and lined with felt, reinforcing the first-class feel the Func HS-260 exudes. Throwing everything out, and we can see quite a few things in the box. Of course, the first thing we pull out is the Func HS-260 headset, with the velour earpads on the headset by default. We also have the detachable headphone and microphone braided cable held together with a Velcro strap. There is a removable and bendable microphone too. Func has provided us with leather earpads as well, and I will tell you more about these later. Finally, in the top left corner of the picture is a manual for those who love to read about their headphones, rather than actually listen to them. Since I am not that type of person, I will continue by taking a closer look at these headphones.